BlackBerry KickStart to run OS 4.6

As the release of the BlackBerry KickStart draws closer, more specifics are now coming to light. The latest of these is that the KickStart will run BlackBerry OS version 4.6, not 5.0, as has been previously reported.

While it was originally understood that the KickStart would be one of the first BlackBerry devices that would be running version 5.0 of the BlackBerry OS, is seems now that is not the case. No real reason is known why RIM is going with 4.6 on the KickStart, but the best guess at the moment is the 5.0 is still not ready and RIM wants to move forward with the KickStart to get it to providers.

As for the other specifications, not much else has changed from what we already know. The internal LCD will feature a resolution of 240x320 and the external LCD will feature a resolution of 160x128, and both LCDs will support 16-bit color, from our understanding. The KickStart will be available first in a GSM/GPRS/EDGE version with perhaps a CDMA version to be released at a later date if the KickStart takes off. The KickStart will offer the next generation version of the SureType keyboard technology with a 2 megapixel camera. WiFi Support will be standard on the KickStart with 802.11b and 802.11g support.

No change has occurred as to who will get it first in the U.S. T-Mobile will get the honor of offering it first in the U.S. with a September time frame for the launch of the KickStart. Sources continue to say that T-Mobile will have the exclusive on the KickStart outside the U.S., as well, but we are still waiting for a more solid confirmation on this.